Invited by the Los Angeles Police Department to Their First Safety Fair, Caltrans Shows That Safety is the Number One Priority!

Petit Park in Granada Hills was the perfect location for the 1st annual Los Angeles Police Department Safety Fair. Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, the impressive event drew hundreds of residents and concerned citizens to the fair which provided LAPD safety information, fire department demonstrations, Caltrans displays, a barbecue -- and fun for all!

Caltrans Public Affairs, Maintenance and Storm Water personnel were on hand to provide information to the public on highway safety, litter prevention, important storm water issues and Caltrans improvement projects -- always keeping safety the number one priority! Staffing the Caltrans exhibits were: from North Region Maintenance: Marcoz Hernandez, Benjamin Ponce, Sean Kerr and Tony Valencia; from Storm Water, Anthony Garcia and Ed Castro; and from Media Relations and Public Affairs, Derrick Alatorre and Jeanne Bonfilio.

Storm Water staff presented an impressive photo display and demonstrated a special state-of-the-art robotic camera used to inspect storm drains. Workers inside a specially outfitted truck then view the video fed into the monitors by the robot. This camera is used to look deep inside storm drains to assist with detection of clogged drains and cleaning, when access to storm drains is difficult; and it enhances worker safety.

Maintenance personnel helped kids and their families inspect the oversized Caltrans trucks and heavy equipment used for highway maintenance work; and they also helped to answer questions.

Most of the children present were wearing Caltrans kids’ hardhats – a popular giveaway; and they were also given special activity books to learn more about the work that Caltrans does. Kids and their parents seemed especially pleased with a new safety display created by Yessica Jovel and Marcia Graves from Media Relations and Public Affairs. As part of the display, children are encouraged to match highway safety sign verbiage with the coordinating picture. “It was encouraging to see how many children knew what the freeways signs meant,” said Alatorre.

Los Angeles Police Department search and rescue teams, public information personnel, police officers, canine handlers, mounted police and many other staff provided the public with a great day of safety information and demonstrations for the entire family. The City of Los Angeles Fire Department personnel also presented an awesome hook-and-ladder display which climbed several hundred feet in the air. And another highlight of the day was their dramatic “jaws of life” demonstration.

Caltrans thanks the Los Angeles Police Department for the invitation to be part of this important event. It is hoped Caltrans will be part of this public safety day for many years to come.